The door opens an inch and he peeks out.

Hi! I'm a volunteer! (I say) I'm providing information on early voting!

Wait while I get my clothes on (he says)

It's a bit before noon, and I normally wouldn't be knocking any doors on a weekday at this time, except that this small strip of houses is hard to access. I had to park some distance away, because the road is awkwardly and impossibly busy. I didn't want to use a chunk of prime time for these few doors

I check my Obama pin isn't falling off and stand there for a few minutes. Then the door opens, and he invites me in

I run through everything as quickly and carefully as I can. He gets the list of early voting places. I push early voting, explaining that any of his friends who might have forgotten to register or to update their registrations can do so when they go to early vote. I verify he's an Obama voter and talk to him about voting a straight ticket

He's voting for Obama, and he'll vote early. He wishes he could do what I'm doing right now but his medical condition won't allow it

I'm proud of you (he says)

I thank him and head down the road. And the next house is just as much fun